Voting-machine and booth.



No. 638,683. Patented Dec. 5, I899. G. W. TROMMLITZ.

VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1898.) (No Model.)

8 Sheets-Sheet l.

Patented Dec. 5, I899.

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G. W. TROMMLITZ.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1898.}

EM AT/c VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH.

PU LI (No Model.)

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G. W. TROMMLITZ.

VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH. (Application filed Sept 20, 1898.)

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No. 638,683. Patented Dec. 5, I899. G. W. TROMMLITZ. VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1898.)

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No. 638 683. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

e. w. TROMMLITZ.

VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1898.) (No Model) 8 Sheets-$heet 5.

E KP 25 we 5] wuewboz No; 638,683. Patented Dec. 5, I899. G. W. TROMMLITZ.

VOTING MACHINE AND BOOTH.

(Application 519a Sept. 20, 1898.)

8 Sheets$heet 7.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES GEORGE W.

PATENT OFFICE TROMMLITZ, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT iPANY, OF SAME PLAcE.

VOTING-MACHINE AND BooTri.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,683, dated December 5, 1899. Application filed September 20,1898. Serial No. 691311. \No model.)

To all whom 211; may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE 11V. TROMM- L1TZ,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoc and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting- Machines and Booths Therefor; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in voting-machines and booths therefor, my object being to provide an apparatus of this class which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and efficient in use; and to these ends the invention consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the booth and machine, the front portion of the latter being exposed. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the machine shown on a larger scale. Fig. is a fragmentary rear View of the same. Fig. l is a fragmentary rear view of the mechanism inclosed by the boX or case, the rear wall and the counting registers attached thereto being removed. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line X X, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the case, showing an individual push-key connected with the lever for actuating the countregistering mechanism, the parts being shown in their normal position. Fig. '7 is a similar view showing the same parts in the actuated position. Figs. 8 and 9 show in plan view the outer slides in the positions corresponding, respect-ively, with the positions of the parts in Figs. 6 and 7. Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views of the inner or auxiliary slides. Fig. 12 illustrates both the individual and straightticket p ush-keys and their connections shown in their normal position. Fig. 13 shows the positions of the same parts when actuated by a straight-ticket push-key. Fig. 1+1: is a fragmentary plan view of the rock-shaft carrying dogs which actuate the bell-crank levers during the operation of voting straight tickets. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the slide-supporting guidebridge. Fig. 1b is a section taken through the upper part of the case and illus trating the straight-ticket push-key lever. Fig. 17 shows the slide-stop in two positions that is to say, in elevation and plan view. Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line y 1 Fig. 2. Fig. 19 is a section taken on the line .2, Fig. 18. Fig. 20 illustrates the mechanism attached to the exit-door of the booth. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the slide adapted to move in a guide attached to the exit-door of the booth. Fig. 22 is a section taken on the line 10 to, Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a detail view of the rod connected with the slidereleasing mech anism. This rod is actuated by the mechanism mounted on the exit-door of the booth. Fig. 24; is a section taken on the line c r, Fig. 20, looking downward. Fig. 25 is a fragmentary View of the individual-push-kcy lockingslides, showing also the lever with which they are connected for operating the straightticket-pushkey locking-slide. Fig. 26 is a rear view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the slide for the straight-ticket push-k eys and the slides for the individual push-keys, also the lever connecting the one slide with the other slides, the locking positions of the slides and the corresponding position of the lever being indicated by dotted lines.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in the views,let the numeral 5 designate the booth, provided with an entrance-door 6 and an exit-door 7. The door 7 opens outwardly and actuates devices for releasing the push-keys from the locking action of the slides, all as hereinafter set forth.

The voting-machine is located within the booth. In Fig. 1 the front portion of the case is exposed.

In this specification the side of the machine provided with the push-keys is termed the front and the opposite side the rear.

The mechanism of the voting machine proper will be first described, after which the slide-releasing mechanism and its connection with the exit-door will be explained.

The mechanism of the machine is incloscd within a suitable case. The front and rear sides of this case are detachable. The outer front plate 8 is provided with slots 8 of sufficient width to expose the names of the candidates on tickets 12, which are inserted between the outer plate and the inner plate 9. These slots are closed by plates 10, coinposed of glass or other suitable transparent material. The outer plate 13 of the rear side of the caseis also slotted to expose the names on tickets,whioh are placed between-theplate 13 and the inner plate 14-. These tickets correspond with the tickets placed on the front side of the machine. The plates 13 and 1e are further provided with openings 13 and 14, in one of which is set a transparent plate 15. These openings located opposite the count-registering devices 16, which are of ordinary construction. These registering devices are attached to the inner surface of the plate l tand are utilized in counting the votes. The number of these registering devices corresponds with the number of the candidates on all the tickets. There is one of these devices located adjacent the name of each candidate on each ticket, and the number of votes cast for any candidate is indicated by the register and may be read through the openings in the rear wall of the case, through which the figures of the register are seen. The mechanism for actuating these counting registers, and through the instrumentality of which the voting is accomplished, will now be described. This mechanism allows the voter to vote the straight ticket by pressinga suitable push-key placed adjacent the head of. the ticket or to vote for individual candidates by pressing the pushkeys located adjacent the names of the candidates.

The front wall of the case is provided with two sets of push-keys-that is to say, those actuated in voting separately individual candidates and referred to in this specification as individual push-keys and those actuated in voting straight tickets and referred to herein as straight-ticketpush-keys. Theindividualpush-keys are designated in the drawings by the numeral .17 and the straight-ticket push-keys by the numeral 18. These pushkeys 17 and 18 are provided with notches 17 and 18, adapted to be engaged by lockingslides 19 and 19, hereinafter fully explained. Both sets of these push-keys are also provided with wedge-shaped inner extremities, as shown at 1'7 and 18 respectively, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

To the inner extremity of each p ush-key 17 is pivotaily attached one extremity of a link 20, whose opposite extremity is movably connest-ed with one arm 21 of a bell-crank lever 21, fulcrumed a rod 22, suitably supported on the inner front plate of the case. The opceases posite arm 21 of this lever is adapted to en gage a pressure-foot of the registering device 16. As the push-key is pressed this foot is forced inwardly and the registering mechanisni actuated. (See Fig. 7.) The foot is returned to its normal position through the instrun'ientality of a spring 16 of the count ing-register. (See Fig. 21.) Each lever 21 is provided with a thirdarm 21, which projects outwardly or in the direction opposite the arm 21 to engagement with a stop 23, made fast to a slide 19. Hence as the lever is actuated by the push-key the arm 21 of the lever forces the slide 19 into the notch 17 of the push-key. As shown in the drawings, the slides 19 are provided with openings to allow the push-keys to pass therethrough. Each slide 19 is of sufficient length to codperate with all the individual push-keys located in the same horizontal plane-that is to say, all the push-keys adjacent the names of all the candidates for the same office on the various tickets. Hence as any one of these individual push-keys is pressed and the slide 19 actuated the said slide enters the notch 17 of the actuating push-key and moves to a position in the rear of a shoulder 17, formed on the inner extremity of each push-key in the same plane or series, thus looking all of the corresponding p ush-keys from movement until the slide is returned to its normal position. The slide also when in this position prevents the return movement of the actuating push-key. Each slide 19 is held in place and guided during its movement by blocks 24-, made fast to the plate 9 in the case. These blocks are provided with recesses 21;, (see Fig. 15,) adjacent the plate 9, through which the slide passes. The slides 19 are allconnected with a screw 55, Fig. 1-. They are all provided with angle-arms 19 Fig. 25, except the slide in line with the screw. Each slide is slotted, as shown at 19, to allow it to move freely on the connecting-screw. Each slide 19 is provided at the extremity remote from the screw with a tooth or projection 19 Fig. 5, which as the slide is actuated bythe lever 21 is ongaged and held in the adjusted position by a dog 25, movably mounted on a shaft and provided with an arm 27. These arms are engaged by leaf-springs 27. All of the slides 19 are sim ultancously released from the dogs 25 by mechanism which will now be described.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 26 are two arms 28, which support a rod 29, to which is attached one extremityot' a rod 30. This lastnamcd rod is actuated by a dog 31, Fig. 20, mounted on a vertical shaft 32, journaled on the booth adjacent the exit-door 7. (See Fig. 1.) As the shaft is turned the dog 31 engages the vertical face of a lug on the rod and actuates the latter, which in turn moves the rod 29 to engagement with all the arms 27 of the dogs 25, thus actuating the dogs 25 sufficiently to disengage them from the teeth 19 of the slides, thus releasing the slides, which are returned to their original or normal position through the instru mentality of the pressure-feet 16 of the registers 16, which force the levers 21 to their normal position or that shown in Figs. 3 and 10 of the drawings. The levers in turn force the push-keys outwardly, the slides 19 being returned to their normal position by the inclined faces of the notches .18.

To operate the elements just described, the shaft 32, mounted on the booth, as aforesaid, is turned by a bar 34, (see Fig. 20,) one extremity of which is, fast on the shaft 32, while the other extremity is provided with a crossh'ead 35, which slides in a retaining-guide 36, fast on the exit-door. As this door is opened outwardly the bar 34 is swung sufficiently to actuate the shaft 32 for the purpose stated. The door and all the working parts connected therewith are returned to their normal position through the instrumentality of suitable automatic door-closing mechanism '37, (see Fig. 1,) which may be of any suitable con struction, and therefore is not described in detail. Hence all the push-keys 17 are locked at their inward limit of movement when once pressed in the act of voting for a candidate until the voter leaves the booth by the exit-door. At

-the same timeall the push-keys adjacent the names of the other candidates for the same ofiice are locked against inward movement as fast as the voter presses the push-keys in voting for one set of candidates, and these keys cannot be again moved until the voter has left the booth by the exit-door, as heretofore stated. This'construction and arrangement prevents the voter from voting more than once for the same candidate and also from voting for more than one candidate for the same oflice.

To vote straight tickets, the push-keys 18 arev actuated. These are located at the heads of the tickets adjacent the emblems. (See Fig. 2.) To facilitate the operation of these push-keys, since considerable pressure is re quired, levers 57 are employed. Each of these levers is fulcrumed on a post 38, supported on the front wall of the case, and engages the push-key 18 at a point between the fulcruin and the lever extremity. Each key 18 is connected at its inner extremity with a link 20 of substantially the same construction as .the links-20 connected with the push-keys 17. The inner extremity of each of these links 20 is pivotally connected with a crankarm 39, whose opposite extremity is made fast to the rock-shaft 40, ,upon which are secured a number ofdogs 41, which correspond with the number of candidates on the tickets. These dogs are so located that when the rockshaft 40 is actuated by the pressure of the push-key 18 each dog '41 engages the arm 21 of the lever 21 and actuates the lever sufficiently to register a vote for each candidate on the ticketin the same manner as explained when describing the action of the individual push-keys in connection with the same levers.

' The locking-slide 19 for the straight-ticket pushkcys-is substantially of the same construction, so far as its body portion is concerncd, as the slides 19. To the extremity of the slide 19", corresponding with the slotted extremities of the slides 19, is pivotally connected one extremity of a lever 42, which is fulcrumed at 43 on the plate 9, its opposite extremity being connected with the screw 55, which passes through the slots 19 of all the slides 19, but is not fastened to the plate 9. It is evident that all the slides 19, as well as the push-keys 17 adjacent the names of all the candidates on the straight ticket voted, are actuated by the pressure of a straight-ticket push-key. As the slides 19 are movedin the direction indicated by arrow a, (see Figs. a and 26,) the lever 42 is turned on its fulcrum, moving the slide 19 in the opposite direction or that indicated by arrow 0. The push keys 18 are provided with bevel-faced notches 18, located on the opposite sides of the push-keys from the corresponding notches in the push-keys17. The slide 19 enters the notch 18 of the pushkey 18 actuated and at the same time passes to the rear of shoulders 18, formed on the inner extremities of the other straight-ticket push-keys. Hence when any straight-ticket push-key is pressed all the other push-keys are locked against movement until the voter leaves the booth' by the exit-door, and the slides are-released, as heretofore explained. As soon as the individual-push-key lockingslides 19 are released the action of the feet 16 on the levers 21 forces theindividualpushkeys 17 outwardly. During this movement the action of the beveled faces 17 of the keys 17 forces the said slides to the right, (referring to Figs. 2 and 19,) leaving the lever 42 free to move from the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 19 to the full-line position in the same figure. The straight-ticket-push-key locking-slide 19 is then free to move toward the normal position, the arms 21 of these levers act on the dogs 11 of the rock-shaft 40 and impart a partial rotation to the said shaft, whereby the lever-arm 39, fast on the shaft 4(), acts on the link 21 of the straight-ticket pushkey 18 and thrusts the latter outwardly to its normal position. As this key 18 moves outwardly the action of its beveled face 18 on the slide 19, together with the influence of the spring 4-1; on the lever 42, serves to throw the slide 19 toward the left, releasing all of the straight-ticket push-keys. (See full lines in Fig. 26.)

To prevent the actuation of two push-keys simultaneously by the voter, I employ auxiliarylocking-slides 45. (Shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11.) These slides are divided into sections 45, which are supported by the 11,) thus moving all the other sections of the same slide sufficiently to bring the tongues d5 of the sections into a position to form stops against the inward movement of any other push-key in the line of the slide. The end sections of the slide are only allowed sufficient movement to permit the complete operation of a single push-key at one and the same time. This necessary but limited ex:- pansion of the slide -15 is permitted by means of bow-shaped leaf-springs 47, mounted on stops 48, made fast to the plate 9. These springs are engaged by thev ends of the for minal sections of the slide and n rmally hold the sections in contact to form a practically continuous slide When a single pushkey is pressed inwardly, these springs yield sufficiently to allow the slide to expand just enough to permit the complete operation. of the single push key, but no more. These auxiliarylocking-slides are employed with both individual and straight-ticket p ush-keys, and their construction is substantially the same in both cases. These slides for the in dividual push-keys are provided with openings e5 through which the projections 21 of the levers 21 pass. These openings are sufficiently large to permit the slides and levers to move and perform their functions without interfering with each other.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved voting-machine will be readily understood. Hence to avoid repetition only a brief continuous description of the operation will be given.

The voter enters the door 6 of the booth, and if desirous of voting a straight ticket he presses the lever 57, located directly above the emblem of the straight. ticket which he desires to vote. This action forces the pushkey 18 inwardly, actuates its crank-arm 39, turns a rock-shaft 40 and all the dogs -11 mounted thereon, and actuates a series of levers 21, whose arms 21 are engaged by the said dogs. The arms 21 of these levers 21 engage feet 16 of the counting-registers 6, actuating the latter by virtue of the construction and arrangement of parts heretofore described. ,As the levers 21 are operated their arms 21 engage the slides 19 and shift said slides toward the left, (see Fig. 19,) causing them to engage the notches 17 of the pushkeys 17 corresponding with the ticket voted and the shoulders 17 of all the other keys 17.

This movement of the slides lil throws the lever mal position.

4-2 to the dotted-line position in-Fig. 19 and shifts the locking-slide 19" of the straightticket push-keys, causing the said slide to engage the notch 18 of the actuated key 18 and the shoulders 18 on the inner extremities of all the other push-keys 18. As the slides 19 are moved toward the left their projections.

19* are engaged by the dogs 25, which look the said slides in the shifted position. This locking of the slides 19 also looks the lever 42 and the slide 19' in the shifted position or that shown by dotted lines in Fig. 191" Hence it is now impossible to move any, oth'e'ir'pushkey of the machine until the voter leaves the booth. If, on the contrary, he desires to vote a mixed ticket-that is to say, for one or more candidates on the several ticketshe presses a push-key 17 for every candidate, and as fast as he presses the push-keys he looks all the other push-keys adjacent the names of candidates for the same office on all'the tickets, the actuated push-key being at the same time locked at its inward limit of movement, (thus preventing voting more than once for one candidate,) all by virtue of the construc tion heretofore fully explained. When the first individual push-key is pressed, the lever 42 is actuated and the slide l9 moved to a position locking all the straight-ticket pushkeys, and these remain locked, thus preventing the movement of individ ualja'nd straight ticket push-keys by the same voter. As the voter leaves the booth and swings the exitdoor 7 outwardly the movement of the rod 3% turns the shaft 32 and brings the dog 31 in engagement with the lug 33 on the rod and. actuates the latter sufficiently to disengage the dogs 25 from the'teeth 19 of the slides 10, thus releasing the slides and permitting them, together with the push-keys and other mechanism, to return to their normal position. The exit-door is then closed through the instru mentality of the automatic door-closing mechanism 37, after which the machine is ready for the next voter.

By virtue of the well-known construction of the counting-registers the vote-registering operation is not complete until the lookingslides are released and the pressure-feet on the registers allowed to return to their nor- Hence the complete registration of the vote can only be effected by opening the eXit-doorof the booth,'as is necessary as the voter passes out.

The push-keys 17 and 18 are provided with recesses 1'7 and 18, respectively, into which the tongue '45 of the expansion-slides 45 project when the push-keys are thrust inwardly in the act of votin The tongues 45 of these push-keys, .the recesses 17 and 18 are formed to allow the tongues 4-5 to enter them. In the absence of these recesses the tongues would interfere with the movement of the keys,

The outer plates 8 and 13 of the case are held in place by hinged clasps A'and B. (See Fig. 5.) There are two pairs of these clasps, and the extremities of each pair overlap each other on the ends of the case. lapping extremities are apertured to receive eyes mounted on the case, in which may be inserted detachable keys for holding the clasps in plr. e. 1

Havingthus described my invention, what I clai nits- 1. a voting-machine, the combination with suitable case and counting-registers, of pllSl145eyS movably mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, each key being provided with a notch formed in its body portion, an integral slide apertured to receive a number of push-keys, levers actuated by said keys for operating the countinga'egisters and the said slide, whereby the latter is made to enter the notch of the working push-k-ey, and moved to a position adjacent the inner extremities of the idle push-keys, and suitable means for locking the slide in the shifted position.

2. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of an individual push-key mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, a bell-crank lever inelosed by the case, one arm of the lever being connected with the inner extremity of ihe push-key, while the other arm of the lever acts on the pressure-foot of a countingregister, and a push-key locking-slide, the lever-being provided with athird arm for actuating this slide and the push-keybeing provided with a bevel-faced notch, which the slide engages.

3. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting-registers,

of a number of individual push-keys corre-,

sponding with the number of candidates for the same office on the several tickets, said push-keys being provided with bevehfaced notches, a bell-crank lever connected with each push-key and adapted to act on a counting-register as the pushkey is pressed, a lock ing-slide apertured to allow the push-keys to pass therethrough, each lever being provided with a third arm for actuating the slide, which is adapted to engage the notch of the actuated push-key and shoulders on the other pushkeys, and suitable means for locking the-slide in theshifted position.

4. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of a'series of individual push-keys corresponding with the number of candidates for the same office on the several tickets, said pushkeys being provided with bevel-faced notches, a bell-crank lever connected with each pushkcy and adapted to act on acounting-register n nthe nuslrkey is pressed, a locking-slide These oven,

apertnred to allow all of the push-keys to pass therethrough, each lever being provided with a third arm for actuating the slide, which is adapted to engage the notch of the actuated push-key and shoulders on the other pushkeys, and suitable means for locking the slide in the adjusted posit-ion.

5. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case provided with countingregisters, of a series ofindividual push-keys for each set of candidates for the same office, said keys being adapted, when actuated, to move inwardly, a bell-crank lever connected with each push-key and adapted to engage a counting-register, an integral locking-slide apertured to receive each series of push-keys, said slide being engaged and operated by the lever connected with any one of an y series of push-keys, said lever being provided with a third arm for operating the locking-slide, means for locking each slide in the adjusted position, and means for releasing the lockingslides.

6. The combination with a booth anda suitable case located therein and equipped with counting-registers, of a series of individual push-keys for each candidate for the same office, a bell-crank lever connected with each push-key and adapted to engage the pressurefoot of a counting-register, a locking-slide for each series of push-keys, each slide being adapted to move independently of the other slides, eacl' lever in any series being provided with an arm to actuate the corresponding slide as a push-key is pressed, the push-keys being provided with bevel-faced notches, the locking-slide being adapted to engage the notch of the actuated push-key, means for locking the slides in the adjusted position, and means operated from the exit-door of the booth for releasing the slides from the locking mechanism.

7. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped with countingregisters, of a series of individual push-keys for each set of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single vstraightticket push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push-keyand adapted to act on a counting-register, suitable means operated by a straight ticket push-key t'or actuating all the levers connected with the individual push-keys for all the candidates on any ticket,'an integral lockingslide 19 for each series of individual pushkeys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corresponding slide, a locking-slide l9 for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, and asuitable connection between said slide and each slide l9,whereby the slide 19 is actuated by the movement of any slide 19, said connection comprising a lever, fulcru med on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are arranged one above another, and slotted to receive a screwpin, which is fast in the lever, said screw-pin normally en gagingione extremity of each slot.

8. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped withtconntingregisters, of a series ofindividual push-keys for each set-of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straightticket push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push-key and adapted to act on a counting-register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket pushkey for actuating all'the leversconnected with the individual push-keys for all the candidates on any ticket, said means comprising a rock-shaft and dogs mounted thereon, the dogsbeing arranged to engage the individual push-key levers, and the rck-shaft being connected with a straight-ticket pushkey, an integral locking-slide 19 for each se ries of individual push-keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other correspending slide, a locking-slide for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, a suitable connection between each slide 19 and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19 is actuated by the movement of any slide 19, said means comprising a lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19,

. which are arranged one above anotherand slotted to receive a screw-pin, which is fast in the lever, said screw-pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, and means for locking the slides 19 in the adjusted position.

9. In a voting-machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case equipped with counting-registers, of a series of individual push-keys for each set of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push-key and adapted toact on a counting-register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push-keys for all the candidates on any ticket, a locking-slide 19 for each series of individual push -keys' I corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corresponding slide, a locking-slide l9 -for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, a suitable connection between said slide 19 and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19 is actuated by the movement of any slide 19, means for locking the slides19 in the adjusted. position, comprising dogs adapted to engage projections formed on the slide extremities, and means operated from the exit-door ot' the booth for releasing the slides 19, said means comprising a'rock-shaft, arms made fast to the rock-shaft, a transverse rod mounted on said arms and a rod connected with the transverse rod at one extremity and with the door of the booth at the opposite extremity.

10. In a voting-machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case equipped with counting-registers, of a series of individual push-keys for each set of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a'single straight-ticketpush-keyfor each ticket, a lever connected with each individual pushkeyand adapted to act on a counting-register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push-keys for all thecandidates on any ticket, an integral locking-slide 19 for each series of individual pushkeys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several tickets,each slide being capable of operation independently of any other-corresponding slide,an integral locking-slide 19 for the series of straight-ticket push-'keys,a suitable connection between srid slide and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19 is actuated by the movement of any slide 1.9, said connection comprising a lever fulcru med on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are arranged one above another and-slotted to receive a screw-pimwhich is fast in the lever, said screw-pin normally engaging. one extremity of each slot, means for locking the slides 19 inthe adjusted position, means operatedfrom the exit-door of the booth for releasing the slides 19, and suitable meansfor returning the slides to their nor mal position.

11. In a voting-machine and bo0th,the combination with a suitable case equipped with counting-registers, of a series of individual push-keys for each set of candidates for the same oflice on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key for each ticket, a leverconnected with each individual pushkey and adapted to act on a counting-register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push-keys for all the candidates on any ticket,'a locking-slide 19 for each series of individual push-keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same oflice on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corresponding slide, a locking-slide 19 for the series of straightticket push-keys, a suitable connection between said slide and each slide 19, said connection comprising a lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are arranged one above another and slotted to receive a screw-pin, which is fast in the lever, said screw-pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, spring-held dogs engaging the slides 19 and holding them in the adjusted position, said dogs being provided with arms, a movable device located within the case and in whose path all the arms of the said dogs are located, a rod connected with said device, and mechanism operated from the exit-door of the booth for actuating the said rod and disengaging the dogs from the slides 19.

i Inavoting-machine and booth,the combination with a suitable case equipped with counting-registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual pushkey and adapted to act on a counting-register,suitable means operated by a straightticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push-keys for each set of candidates for any ticket, a locking-slide 19 for each series of individual pushkeys corresponding with all the candidates for the same ofiice on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corresponding slide, a locking-slide 19 for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, a suitable connection between said slide and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19 is actuated by the movement of anyslide 19, said connection comprising a leverf ulcru med on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are slotted to receive a screw-pin, which is fast in the lever, said screw pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, spring-held dogs engaging the slides 19 and holding them in the adjusted position, said dogs being provided with'arms,

a movable device located within the case and in whose path all the arms of the said dogs are located, arod connected with said device, and mechanism operated from the exit-door of the booth for actuating the said rod and disengaging the dogs from the slides 19, said mechanism comprising a rock-shaft mounted on the booth adjacent the exit-door, and a dog mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage a lug with which the rod is provided.

13. The combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of a series of pushkeys projecting into the case, anumber of levers, each provided with three arms, one of which is engaged byapush-key, while another acts on a counting-register, a push-key locking-slideactuated by the third arm of any lever,- and an auxiliary expansion lockingslide adapted to be actuated by any push-key of the series, whereby it becomes impossible to actuate more than one push-key of the se ries at the same time. a

14. The combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of a series of pushkeys projecting into the case, a number of levers, each provided with three arms, one of which is engaged by a push-key, while another acts on a counting-register, a push-key locking-slide actuated by the third arm of any lever, the push-keys being provided with Wedge-shaped inner extremities, and an auxiliary expansion locking-slide, composed of sections and having limited endwise move ment, said sections having semicircular termin als which normally engage each other and form openings for the push-keys, each terminal having an inwardlyrprojecting tongue which is engaged liy the wedge of the pushkey, said key being provided with recesses which the tongues enter when the push-key is thrust inwardly, whereby, as any pushkey is pressed, theslide is expanded onlysufficiently to allow the single key to perform its function, thus preventing the simultaneous operation of several push-keys of the same series.

15. The combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of a series of pushkeys projecting into the case, a number of levers, each provided with three arms, one of which is engaged by a push-key, while another acts on a counting-register, an integral push-key locking-slide actuated by the third arm of any lever, said keys being providedwith wedge-shaped inner extremities, an auxiliary expansionslide composed of sections, stop-blocks provided with springs which the extremities of said slide engage, whereby the expansion or endwise movement of the slide is limited and the parts returned to their normal position when vreleased, said slide having terminals which normally engage each other, any two terminals iuclos'ing an opening for the entrance of the wedge of a pusirkey, whereby, as any.

push-key is pressed, the slide is expanded only sufficiently to allow that key to perform its function, thus preventing the simultaneous operation of more than one push-key of the same series.

, 16. The combination with a suitable case and countingregisters, of push-keys mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, an integral' push-key locking-slide apertured to receive the push-keys which are formed with notches, their inner extremities being provided with wedges and shoulders at the base ,of the wedges, levers, each provided with three arms, one connected with the push-key,

another engaging a coi'inting-register, while the third ac'tuates the lockingslide, and an auxiliary expansion-slide actuated by the wedges of the push-keys to prevent the simultaneous operation of a number of push-keys.

17. Ina voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, ofa push-key mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, a lever inclosed by the case, one arm of the lever engaging the inner extremity of the push-key, while the other arm of the lever acts on a counting-register, a push-key locking-slide actuated by the lever and engaged by an inclined face formed on the key, whereby, as the latter is returned to its normal position, it imparts the reverse movement to the slide.

18. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped with countingregisters, of a series of individual push-keys for all the candidates for the same office on ICC the several tickets and a single straight ticket push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push-key and adapted to act on a counting-register, arockshaft, dogs mounted in the shaft and adapted to engage the levers as the shaft is operated, a crank-arm fast on the shaft, a link connecting the straight-ticket puslikey with the crank-arm, a locking-slide 19 for each series of individual push keys, a locking-slide 19 for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, and a connection between the slide 19 and all the slides 19, whereby the movement of any slide 19 actuates the slide 19 said connection comprising a lever fulerumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with the slides 19 which are slotted to receive a screw-pin, which is fast in the lever.

19. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suit-able case and counting-registers, of a series of straight-ticket push-keys provided with notches, a series of individual push-keys notched on the side opposite the notches of the straight-ticket push-keys, an integral locking-slide apertured to receive the straight-ticket push-keys, a separate integral locking-slide apertured to receive the individual push-keys, a lever connecting the two slides, means actuated by the push-keys for operating the counting-registers and shifting the individual-push-key lockingslide whereby the said lever is actuated and the straight-ticket-pnsh-key locking-slide shifted in the opposite direction, the notch of the actuated,push key or keys being engaged by their corresponding locking-slides.

20. In a votingmachine,'the combination with a suitable ease and counting-registers, of a series of push-keys for operating the counting-registers, each key being provided with a notch, an integral locking-slide apertured to receive the keys, and levers, one of which is actuated by any push-key of the series for shifting the locking-slide, whereby it is made to engage the notch of the actuated push-key and move to a position adjacent the inner extremity of the other push keys, whereby all the push-keys of the series are locked from movement.

21. In a voting-machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting-registers, of a series of notched push-keys mounted on the case and adapted to project thereinto, an integral push-key locking-slide apertured to receive the push-keys, an auxiliary endwiseex pansible locking-slide composed of sections and located to the rear of, but in line with the integral locking-slide, the sections of the aux iliary slide having semicircular terminals which normally engage each other and form.

openings for the entrance of the push-keys,

the expansion of the slide being only sufficient to permit the entrance of a single pushkey at one time, levers located Within the case, each lever being provided with three arms, one being connected with a push-key,

another engaging a countingregister, While the third projectsthrough an opening formed in a section of the expansive slide to engagement with the integral locking-slide.

'22. In a voting-machine, the combination with 'a suitable case and counting-registers, of a series of straight-ticket push-keys and a number of series of individual push-keys, a locking-slide 19 for the series of straightticket push-keys and a locking-slide 19 for each series of individual push-keys, a lever fulerumed on the ease and having one arm connected with the locking-slide 19 and the other arm connected with the several lockingslides 19, the slides 19 being slotted to receive a pin fast in the lever, whereby the movement of any one of the slides 19 actuates the lever and moves the slide 19 in the opposite direction, a spring engaging the lever and acting to return it and the slide 19 to their normal position, means actuated by any push-key for operating the counting-registers and one or more slides 19, whereby the lever and the slide 19 are actuated, thus locking the straight-ticket push-keys and one or more of the series of individual puslrkeys'.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE l/V. TROMMLITZ.

\Vitnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, EDITH I-IIMsWoRTH. 

